U-Idaho Takes a Lead Role in Training International Students and Community Leaders

Tuesday, December 11 2012

University of Idaho International Programs has been awarded a Central America Youth Ambassador (CAYA) grant to engage teens and community leaders from Belize, El Salvador Nicaragua and Honduras in social entrepreneurship training, and provide opportunities for local high school students and teachers to engage in cross-cultural learning in Central America. CAYA is a collaborative partnership between the Center for Intercultural Education and Development (CIED) at Georgetown University and the U.S. Department of State. The $90,342.00 grant will fund three training programs at UI and two study tours in Central America in 2013 and 2014.

As a part of CAYA, U-Idaho students will be coached in how to deliver training to international students and community leaders and gain practical experience as trainers for the program. The program will utilize local businesses, the campus and the community to create an interdisciplinary learning environment. Program participants will be housed with local host families in order to foster cross-cultural engagement.

“This award builds on the strong partnership the University of Idaho has developed with CIED and the US government,” said Bob Neuenschwander, associate director of international grants and initiatives. “During the past four years, University of Idaho International Programs has received more than one million dollars in funding from the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to train 141 students and community leaders from 20 countries in leadership, civic engagement, community action planning, social entrepreneurship and environmental technology. These programs really create goodwill and provide opportunities for UI faculty and students to engage in global community capacity building and cross-cultural understanding and friendship.”

Students interested in becoming trainers on the program or faculty or staff interested in hosting a Central American student or community leader during the training program should contact Lubia Cajas de Gliniewicz at lubiacajas@vandals.uidaho.edu